If you are planning your trip to Rome and still have to decide when to come, you can look at this post about the best time to visit Rome.

Then, if you are planning to spend 3 days in Rome, you have to decide where to stay in Rome. Choosing the perfect location is the most essential thing that will allow you to feel safe and move quickly between the city’s main areas.

Within the city walls, we can consider 16 main neighborhoods. Most of the things to see in Rome are in these areas.
But for now, we simply tell you where to find a hotel in a quiet area well served by public transport.
Our favorite area, where most of our resident friends live, is between the Vittorio Emanuele and Colosseum Metro Station.

We suggest you avoid the streets too close to Termini Station. Still, if you find a Hotel, a Bed & Breakfast, or any other solutions around Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, from the side of via Poliziano and via Machiavelli, you won’t be disappointed.

Morning: Colosseo (Colosseum), Palatino (Palatine), Fori Imperiali (Roman Forum)
Afternoon: Altare della Patria, Bocca della Verità, Circo Massimo, Trastevere

If you chose to stay in the neighborhood we indicated (Vittorio Emanuele), the first thing we suggest you do is to take a walk to the Colosseum.

We are great lovers of walking, and we are convinced that this is the best way to fully appreciate and live the spirit of a city.

Walking from the Vittorio Emanuele area towards the Colosseum, you will start to breathe the crisp and lively air of the ancient capital of the world.

To glimpse the Colosseum outline from behind an anonymous street nearby is an emotion that always leaves us breathless.

On your way to the Colosseo, if the Colle Oppio Park is open, you can even walk through it. Unfortunately, when we are writing this article, the park has been closed for several months for safety reasons. In this case, you can get to the Colosseum from Via San Giovanni in Laterano, passing in front of the Basilica of San Clemente.

If you are fond of churches or Christian Rome and are staying nearby, you should also plan a visit to this church. San Clemente Church will allow you to witness three historical periods (the Middle Ages, a 4th-century church, and the rest of ancient pagan Roman buildings).

The Colosseum

Once you have reached the Colosseum, stop a few minutes to admire it. It is the largest amphitheater in Rome and dates back to 72 AD.
As you know, deadly fights took place in this arena, between gladiators and ferocious animals from the Roman Empire’s colonies in North Africa and the Middle East.
Of course, we invite you to enter, climb its steps, and walk through its halls and corridors. Do not miss this emotion if it is your first time in the city.

If you have purchased the OMNIA Rome and Vatican Pass, the entrance to the Colosseum is included so you will not have to pay the ticket.

BUT BE CAREFUL YOU STILL HAVE TO BOOK!

At the moment, it is compulsory to book a time slot to visit the Colosseum.

If you have purchased the Omnia Rome and Vatican Pass, you do not have to pay the entrance fee, but you still have to book your slot. Take a look a the box at the of the post on How to Book Colosseum Entrance.

Warning: in this area, be careful of pickpockets and characters dressed as Gladiators who will propose you to take a picture with them, but for a fee!

OMNIA Rome and Vatican Pass also include entrance to the Palatine and the Roman Forum that you will visit next. It is located right next door.

Why visit the Roman Forums?

The Roman Forums indeed represents one of the most famous and fascinating archaeological areas in the world.

But what exactly are the Roman Forums?
It is a series of monumental squares in Rome’s heart. They were built mainly by emperors Caesar and Augustus, in less than 2 centuries. This area was the center of political, commercial, and judicial life.

Walking through these ruins, you will feel as if you have gone back in time 2000 years and find yourself in the beating heart of ancient Rome.

If you want to save some time and make the most of your 3 days in Rome, you can choose one of the many excellent guided tours for this part of town.
There are the best tours, in our opinion. They have thousands of 5 stars reviews, and we can guarantee that they are truly professional.

For example, in case you have not purchased the OMNIA Pass, you can take advantage of this 5-star premium tour, which combines a visit to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, including entrance fees.

You can also take a look at Viator website. We suggest you to filter tours by duration and reviews. Choose the guided tours with the most reviews and with at least 4 stars.

Day 1 – Afternoon (3 days in Rome guide)

Once you reach the end of Via Dei Fori Imperiali, on your left, you will find one of the most famous monuments of the city: The Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. It is also known as the Vittoriano or Altare Della Patria. For the record, Vittorio Emanuele II di Savoia was the first king of unified Italy. The Altare Della Patria is a truly impressive monument, all in white marble. It houses the Museum of the Risorgimento. Not far away, there are also the Capitoline Museums (Musei Capitolini) that usually host some of the most important temporary exhibitions in town. So, if you are fond of art, we suggest you check their agenda, before your departure.
Once here, you should definitely get on the panoramic glass lift of the Vittoriano from which you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city from above. Really amazing.

Continue the itinerary on the left, leaving the Altare Della Patria behind you.
After a short walk, you can admire the Teatro Marcello on your left. Go on until you reach the legendary Bocca Della Verità (The Mouth of Truth).

This area is famous among tourists for the ritual of sticking your hand into the famous “Mouth of Truth.”
It is a large marble mask walled in the facade of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. It depicts a faun’s head with his mouth open.

This should remind you of the famous scene in the movie “Roman Holiday“, in which Gregory Peck, in front of a naive Audrey Hepburn, pretends to have lost his hand inside this mouth!

Give it a try! But if you are a liar, be very careful!

There are also other things to see in this corner of town. If you have with you Best Italy Travel Guide we recommend, you can follow the itinerary it suggests and admire for example:

• The Temples of the Foro Boario (Temple of Hercules and Portunus), the best preserved in Republican Rome.
• The Fountain of the Tritons
• The Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin with a beautiful mosaic floor.
• The Broken Bridge over the Tiber dating back to the 2nd century B.C.

Before leaving this area and heading towards Trastevere district, we suggest taking a walk on Via della Greca. You will find yourself in front of a long grassy esplanade, which may not have any effect on you. Still, you have to imagine that it was once the largest stadium in ancient Rome. It had steps that could accommodate up to 300,000 spectators.
It was built in the 2nd century B.C. on the commission of Julius Caesar. It is 600 meters long and 140 meters wide, and it is considered the most massive structure for shows ever built by man.
In the past, it hosted shows with gladiators, horses, elephants. Nowadays, events and concerts are still held here.

Towards Trastevere

After enjoying this area, we suggest you cross the Palatine Bridge and head towards Trastevere, where you can end your day.

Trastevere means “beyond the Tiber.” Those who live here consider themselves the most authentic Romans.
Without a doubt, it is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in the city and one of the oldest.

If you are coming from Ponte Palatino, as we have suggested, we advise you to walk along the Tiber to Ponte Sisto. You will find yourself in Piazza Trilussa. This square is a typical meeting place of the Romans. In the evening, it is incredibly popular. If you have followed our itinerary, you should find yourself here right around sunset.
It is also easy to find stalls selling paintings and handicrafts, and many street artists and musicians entertaining the public.

In this district, you can admire some of the most suggestive medieval churches in the town.

We suggest you get lost in the alleys of this district, such as the picturesque Vicolo del Piede, Vicolo del Bologna, Vicolo Moron. Walk and look around without a specific destination. Let yourself be inspired.

Trastevere is a district full of small alleys, but it is not a pedestrian area. Cars can pass through, so be careful!

You cannot miss the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, perhaps the first Christian place of worship built in Rome. Its granite columns and mosaics will leave you breathless.

Your first day of our “3 Days in Rome” itinerary ends here. Choose the restaurant that most inspires you and taste the typical dishes of the Roman cuisine: pasta cacio e pepe, abbacchio, artichokes Roman style.

You’ll be spoilt for choice, but pay attention to places that are too touristy.
We suggest some of the good ones.

Trattoria da Enzo at Via dei Vascellari 29: one of the most famous restaurants in the area.

Impiccetta – via Dei Fienaroli, 7, typical Roman restaurant with generous portions

Latteria Trastevere – Vicolo della Scala 1 ideal for aperitifs.

And don’t forget to pair your meals with a good glass of wine from the Roman castles.

Morning: Galleria Borghese, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps)
Afternoon: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo De Fiori

Day 2 of our “3 Days in Rome” guide is dedicated to the heart of Rome.

Below is a map of the itinerary that we suggest you take, as always, on foot. In this way you can fully enjoy this city’s beauty and live it in the best possible way.

You will build memories that will remain with you forever.

The morning starts with a visit to the Galleria Borghese, where you can admire some masterpieces of Italian artists such as Bernini, Raphael, Caravaggio, Canova, and many more.

Don’t forget that if you have purchased the OMNIA Rome and Vatican Pass, the entrance is already included, so you won’t have to pay anything.

We advise you, as always, to book the entrance well in advance.

At this link, you will find the information on opening hours.
Galleria Borghese Info and Opening Hours

While to book, you can call +39 06 32810 (open Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 18:00; Saturdays 09:00 – 13:00) or send an email to [email protected].

Bookings can be made directly from your home country, even before purchasing the card.
It is highly recommended to book at least 10 days in advance. You can make a reservation even if you do not own your Roma Pass card yet, always providing the name of the Roma Pass holder.

If you are not willing to purchase the OMNIA card, we recommend that you enjoy the visit with a guided tour. In this way, you will not miss anything and secure your tickets, which are always hard to find.

This is Villa Borghese Tour one of the best: Borghese Gallery Tour & Tickets: With Bernini, Caravaggio & Raphael
It is a 5-star review tour that will allow you to discover all the secrets of the masterpieces kept in this place. It lasts two hours and a half.

At the end of the visit, you can walk through the park of Villa Borghese in the direction of Piazza del Popolo. It is one of the largest urban parks in Europe.

Inside the park, there is also the Zoo of Rome “Bioparco,” which hosts more than 1,000 animals of 200 different species. If you travel with children, it can be an alternative to visiting the Gallery.

After a relaxing walk through this green park, you will reach Piazza del Popolo. It’s a peculiar access to the heart of the city. It is a large oval-shaped square at the top of three of the city’s most famous streets: Via del Babuino – Via del Corso – Via di Ripetti. This triangle of roads is known as the Trident.

At this point, we suggest you walk along Via del Babuino towards Piazza di Spagna.

Of course, if you have the guide we have recommended (Best Italy Travel Guide), you can go deeper into this itinerary by reading about the various buildings that you will encounter along the way.

Piazza di Spagna with its unmissable Spanish Steps, Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, is one of the most famous and exciting places in the city. The streets that stretch out from this square are the most exclusive in Rome.

First of all, you must go up and down the stairs and take tons of pictures (will you do that, won’t you?).

While walking among these places, imagine you will find yourself next to artists, writers, musicians, and aristocratic tourists who in 1700 frequented these areas searching for worldliness. If you want to admire the portrait of some famous people who passed by here, we suggest you stop at the  Caffè Greco, at the beginning of Via Condotti.

It’s the ideal place for a quick break.

Artists such as Keats, Byron, Goethe, Wagner, Bizet, Casanova were among the most famous patrons of this place.

Then you can head down Via Condotti, where you will find the most fashionable and elegant shops in the world. And from here, you can continue towards another must-see point in the city, the legendary Trevi Fountain.

We are not giving you any special lunch tips, but let’s say you can stop for a snack in the place that most inspires you. In Rome, you can eat well everywhere. But if you really want a piece of advice, you could visit La Bottega di Cesare in Via dell’Arancio, 60. You will have to make a small diversion on the way, but it will be worth it.

For sculpture lovers who want to make another small diversion before arriving at the Trevi fountain, we suggest turning right into Via del Tritone in the direction of Piazza Barberini. In this square, you can admire one of Bernini’s most beautiful works: the Triton Fountain. Two acrobatic dolphins hold a colossal shell with their tails on which the sea god Triton is kneeling and blowing upwards a gush of water. It will fill your heart.

After the ritual stop at the Trevi Fountain, you can enjoy an excellent Italian ice cream. Then you will be on your way to two other mythical and beautiful places of this town that will never cease to surprise you.

We will walk towards the Pantheon. Then, the enchanting Piazza Navona will be ready to welcome us in all its splendor. I think you’ve probably gathered that these are our two favorite places in Rome.

In less than ten minutes’ walk, you will find yourself in front of a building that will take your breath away, both from the outside and once inside.
The Pantheon is a Roman temple dedicated to all the gods. Its remarkable dome is a true masterpiece of architecture.
Above all, from the inside, you can appreciate its beauty and its greatness. Note that the height and the diameter of this building are the same! 43.3 meters. This is why you will have the feeling of being inside a sphere. The light inside comes from the hole at the top of the vault.

Sit on one of the benches and spend a few minutes reflecting on the immensity of this place, on the immensity of what it represents, and on the immensity of the universe as well. Immensity is precisely the word that the Pantheon evokes in us every time we get in there.
In this place, more than in any other, we physically feel the perception of the concurrence between the human and the divine (whatever you believe to be the divine). And you? Just let us know your thoughts in the comments.
It is no coincidence that the great Raphael asked to be buried here. His tomb is on the left side of the entrance.

After this short stop, a less than five minutes walk separates you from another wonderful place in this city, the immense and spectacular Piazza Navona.

The square stands on the remains of a stadium built by Emperor Domitian in the first century AD. Domitian is also the emperor who completed the Colosseum’s works, the Imperial Baths, and started the reconstruction of the Circo Massimo after a fire.

Piazza Navona is a real masterpiece of Baroque where you can admire Bernini’s and Borromini’s masterpieces.

Don’t miss Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers (1651), one of the most exciting fountains you will ever see in your life.

The square will amaze you also for its intense and vibrant vitality, a gathering place for street artists, musicians, and painters. Sit down and have an aperitif in one of its many bars. Enjoy the view of the beautiful buildings that surround it.

Follow the Rome guide we have suggested. You will find a lot of detailed information about the fountains and buildings all around.

We are almost at the end of this demanding day, but hopefully rewarding for the eyes and the heart.

If you still have some energy left, you can reach in less than 5 minutes another characteristic place of the city: Campo De’ Fiori. It’s been one of the most colorful and lively squares in the town since the Middle Ages.

Campo De’ Fiori, one of the most famous squares in Rome, has a double life. In the morning, there is a bustling and lively market. At the same time, it is a destination for tourists and lovers of good food in the evening. If you love markets and handicrafts, you can also visit it in the early morning by reversing the itinerary we have proposed. But bear in mind that we prefer it at night.

So if you have followed our itinerary till now, you should be here just in time for dinner. The restaurants in the area are trendy and open until late at night.

Don’t get too tired because tomorrow, another of this city’s wonders is ready to welcome you: the Vatican Museums and the amazing Sistine Chapel.

 Cul de Sac Piazza di Pasquino, 73
Romanesque cuisine, good wine cellar and cheese selection

 Roscioli via dei Giubbonari, 21/22,
Historic delicatessen with excellent restaurant and great wine cellar and good cheese

 Open Baladin via degli Specchi, 6
Excellent hamburgers and beer

We decided to leave one of the most visited places in the world for the last day. Not everyone knows that Vatican City is a separate country within the city of Rome. Although it has always attracted Christian pilgrims from all over the world, this place holds real treasures that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. Not only Christians.
It is no coincidence that the Vatican Museums are among the most visited art museums in the world, along with the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Every year they welcome about six million visitors.

The third day of your 3 days in Rome itinerary will therefore be dedicated almost entirely to this small “country within the country”. By the way, Vatican City it’s the smallest country in the world with only 800 residents!

Take all the time you need to visit these places and, above all, book your tickets and visit time and date for the Vatican Museums well in advance. This is a fundamental aspect of your trip to Rome.

With the OMNIA Rome and Vatican Pass, you will skip the lines with free Fast Track Entry privileges, and you can save over 4 hours!

To reserve your entry slot with the OMNIA Rome and Vatican Pass, you just need to follow the instructions you will find on the confirmation email. You will be able to select the time and date of your visit. For any inquiries, you can write an email to [email protected].

The Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums open at 9 a.m. Our advice is to book your entrance as soon as possible because the Museums become very crowded as the day progresses.

The Vatican Museums are home to one of the most beautiful and rich art collections in the world from the Egyptian and Roman times, through the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. The Museums extend for 7 kilometers, so you could spend most of the day here. Of course, the most famous places are Raffaello’s rooms and the fabulous Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s Last Judgement.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Also the entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is always included in the OMNIA pass. And you can also enjoy a free downloadable audio guide in Wi-Fi, available in several languages.
St. Peter’s Basilica is the most famous church in Rome. You can also climb to the top and admire its renowned dome up close, with a unique panorama on the Eternal City.
We recommend booking in advance the entrance tickets to St. Peter’s Basilica choosing your visit date and time.

If you have not purchased your OMNIA pass, you could take advantage of this fascinating tour: St. Peter’s Basilica from Top to Bottom with Dome Climb & Crypt
Pay attention, however, to the timing because it lasts two hours and a half.

If you have not purchased your OMNIA Pass, we suggest you take an excellent guided tour to enjoy the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in peace. You should definitely take advantage of this exclusive evening tour:

Vatican Museums Night Tour with Sistine Chapel

Alternatively, there is also an early entry tour if you are an early riser.

Early Entry Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Express Tour

If you do not have much time, but you want to enjoy the best of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, this is the tour for you.

Complete Vatican Tour

Castel Sant’Angelo is a real fortress in the heart of Rome, overlooking the banks of the Tiber.
This building was built more than 2000 years ago and has been used as a refuge by several Popes, and also as a prison.

Not to be missed

• The Urn Hall with Hadrian’s ashes
• The National Museum with finds from Ancient Rome
• The Angel’s Courtyard
• Papal apartments
• The view from the terrace which offers a splendid panorama of the city.

Curiosity
Castel Sant’Angelo is connected to the Vatican through a secret corridor.

Security: as in all large metropolises, one must be reasonably careful. Some years ago, we had a pickpocketing attempt near the Colosseum. A beggar mother approached us with a child. But just keep your eyes open, especially in crowded areas and in the underground.

Currency: Italy and, therefore, Rome are in the Eurozone. Usually, it is cheaper to pick Euro up at ATM Points rather than exchange them at the bank or money changers. Credit cards are now more favorably accepted in Italy. They are also taken by Taxi, but in this case, we advise you to make sure with the driver before you get the ride. For more information, you can read this post: Money used in Italy

Power supply: If you come from countries such as the UK or the USA, you will need a travel adapter with a 2-pin European plug. The standard is 220v.

Internet: now all hotels and accommodation offer free WiFi. The same happens in cafes and restaurants. Alternatively, you can buy a local SIM card, especially if you plan to stay in Italy or Europe for a few weeks.

How to dress? The clothing depends on the season and also on the places you plan to visit. For example, in churches and holy places, you cannot wear too succinct clothes. You must at least cover your shoulders and knees. At this link, you will find more advice on how to dress and when to visit Rome: Rome Weather